USD/JPY Rebound Stalls Below 152.00: Are Bears Still in Control? | Key Technical Levels to Watch


  • USD/JPY registers 0.39% gain but why is monero dropping todayfails to overcome psychological 152.00 barrier as bearish pressure persists.


  • Technical landscape remains negative with price action below both 200-day SMA and Ichimoku Cloud formation.


  • Critical support levels emerge at 150.00 and 148.64 - breakdown could accelerate selling pressure.


The USD/JPY currency pair managed to claw back some losses during Monday's trading session, ultimately closing with a 0.39% appreciation. However, the recovery stalled conspicuously below the psychologically significant 152.00 threshold, suggesting underlying weakness in the pair's technical structure.


Technical Perspective: Bearish Signals Dominate


Market technicians note the pair continues to trade beneath both the 200-day Simple Moving Average (currently at 152.76) and the Ichimoku Cloud, traditionally considered bearish configurations. Monday's price action saw an initial push to 152.53 before rejection, reinforcing the resistance zone between 152.00-152.50.


The Relative Strength Index (RSI) maintains its position in neutral territory but with a downward bias, supporting the case for continued bearish momentum. This technical setup suggests traders should prepare for potential extension of the current downtrend.


Immediate support comes into play at the round-number 150.00 level. A decisive break below this marker would likely target the December cycle low at 148.64, with potential for further decline toward September's 141.65 bottom should selling pressure intensify.


For bullish scenarios to gain credibility, buyers would need to not only reclaim 152.00 but also push through the 200-day SMA and challenge the 153.00 resistance cluster. Until such developments occur, the technical advantage remains with sellers.


Market Sentiment and Positioning


Recent price action reflects ongoing uncertainty in the currency markets, with traders carefully monitoring fundamental developments that could impact the USD/JPY pair. The failure to sustain momentum above key technical levels suggests market participants remain cautious about extending long positions at current levels.


Traders should monitor upcoming economic data releases and central bank commentary for potential catalysts that could alter the current technical landscape. The pair's sensitivity to risk sentiment and interest rate differentials continues to make it one of the more volatile major currency pairs in current market conditions.